Christmas

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This week our theme was ‘Christmas’.  The children made reindeer, Christmas lights and worked on some special projects in preparation for your visit on the 19^th/20^th!  We also continued to work on counting, name printing, number identification and singing Christmas songs!  Our letter for the week was Ii.

Next week our theme will continue be ‘Christmas’.  We will start the week by playing Christmas games and lacing a candy cane.  Then on Wed. & Thurs. each class will have a Christmas party right away in the morning (please be sure your child has brought a gift so they can participate in the gift exchange).  Our Christmas program will be held in the library at 9:30.  The children are REALLY excited and looking forward to your visit.  Thank you for helping us make this a special day!  After the program you are invited back to the classroom for cookies, punch and a special Christmas surprise!  You are welcome to take your child home at any time following the program.  (On Wed/Thurs the children do not need to bring boots or snow pants, as we will not be going outside before the program.  However, they will still need to bring their backpacks, as we will have a lot to bring home before Christmas vacation).

 Reminders & Updates:                                    

*Christmas Vacation:  No school Dec. 24^th-Jan. 1^st.  (When

 the children return our theme will be “Arctic Animals”

and we will begin to review the numbers 1-10).

*Remember to send warm/insulated winter mittens to school so your child has warm, dry hands for recess. 

*During the break please remember that your child will still have access to the Reading Eggs program online.

*No School: January 25^th (Inservice)

Christmas Trees & Cookies

This week our theme was ‘Christmas Trees & Cookies’.  The children made a shape-cookie book, finger-painted a Christmas wreath and created a gingerbread man.  We also worked on counting, 1-to-1 correspondence and we practiced our Christmas songs!  We learned about the number 10 and will be reviewing the numbers again shortly.  Our letter for the week was Cc. 

Next week our theme will be ‘Christmas’.  The children will be working on a variety of Christmas projects this week…most of them are a secret so you will just have to wait and see what we’re up to!  I can mention that we will be making reindeer and Christmas lights.  We will also continue to work on counting, number identification and singing Christmas songs!  Our letter for the week will be Ii.

 Reminders & Updates:                                    

*Gift Exchange:  Your child should bring a $5.00 gift before our party on Dec. 19^th/20^th.  Feel free to send your gifts in at any time so we can place them under our tree! 

*Christmas Programs: Held in the library at 9:30 on Dec. 19^th or Dec. 20^th.  This is a very important day for your child so please make every effort to attend.  All relatives are welcome, the more the merrier!  You are invited to our classroom after the program for cookies and punch and can take your child home with you at any time.  Please return your permission slips as soon as possible.

*Your child SHOULD bring their backpack on the date of the x-mas program but will NOT need snow pants or boots, as we will not be going outside.

*Christmas Vacation:  No school Dec. 24^th-Jan. 1^st.

Winter Clothes

 This week our theme was ‘Winter Clothing’.  The children brought home a mitten memory game to play with their families.  We also used our winter clothing to work on sorting, matching, classifying, graphing, colors and counting!  Our letter for the week was Ww and we learned about the numbers 8 & 9. 

Next week our theme will be ‘Christmas Trees & Cookies’.  The children will make a shape-cookie book, finger-paint a Christmas wreath and create a gingerbread man.  We will also work on counting, 1-to-1 correspondence (touching each object as you count it) and practicing our Christmas songs!  Our letter for the week will be Cc and we will learn about the number 10.

 Reminders & Updates:                                    

*Gift Exchange:  In order to participate in our gift exchange your child needs to bring a $5.00 gift before our party on Dec. 19^th/20^th.  Girls should bring a ‘girl gift’ & boys should bring a ‘boy gift’. 

*Christmas Programs: Held in the library at 9:30 on Dec. 19^th or Dec. 20^th.  This is a very special and exciting day for your child; they have worked hard to prepare for your visit.  Please return the permission slip so you don’t need to sign your child out when taking them home after the program. 

*Your child SHOULD bring their backpack on the date of the x-mas program but will NOT need snow pants or boots, as we will not be going outside.

*Christmas Vacation:  No school Dec. 24^th-Jan. 2^nd.

*Cute Pictures: Some of the children still do not have a picture to use for our project.  Please remember to send one ASAP.

Thanksgiving

This week our theme was “Thanksgiving”.  The children made turkeys and worked on shapes, position words, colors and name printing.  We learned the numbers 5 & 6 and our letter for the week was Tt.  

 

Next week our theme will continue to be “Thanksgiving”.  We will enjoy a special Thanksgiving snack, play games and use our ‘Cute Pictures’ from home for a special project!  (This is a short week so I won’t be sending another classroom newsletter home next week).  When class resumes after Thanksgiving break our theme will be Winter Clothes, we will learn the numbers 8 & 9 and our letter will be Ww.

 Reminders & Updates:                                    

*Send a cute 4x6 picture of your child any time before Nov. 19^th or 20^th.  The picture should be in the landscape format (side-ways) and will be used for a project.

*Thanksgiving Vacation: No School Nov. 21^st-23^rd.

*Pre-K Christmas Program: Wed, Dec. 19^th OR Thurs, Dec. 20^th

at 9:30 in the Library, you may take your child home with you after their program.

*Remember that books make a wonderful Christmas gift.  If you decide to order from our next Scholastic book order please make a note if your order is a gift and I can place it in a bag so your child can not see it.

*We play outside three times each day.  Please send warm winter mittens (NOT finger mittens) to ensure your child stays warm and has fun!  If winter clothes are wet at the end of the day please make sure you hang them out to dry so they are ready for the next day.

Scarecrows & Thanksgiving

This week our theme was “Thanksgiving & Scarecrows”.  The children made turkeys, Thanksgiving placemats & scarecrows.  We talked about what we are thankful for and also worked on name printing, number identification, counting, colors and patterns.  We learned about the numbers 3 & 4 and our letter for the week was Hh.

During the next two weeks our theme will be “Thanksgiving”.  The children will be making turkeys and working on shapes, position words, colors and name.  We will learn the numbers 5 & 6 and our letter for the week will be Tt.  During our short week we will have a Thanksgiving celebration and learn about the number 7. 

 Reminders & Updates:                                    

*If you still have not completed your family’s turkey feather please take time to do so and return it to school so it can be added to our classroom turkey.

*Send a cute 4x6 picture of your child any time before Nov. 19^th or 20^th.  The picture should be in the landscape format (side-ways) and will be used for a project.

*Thanksgiving Vacation: No School Nov. 21^st-23^rd.

*It’s great to see all of the kids that know the letter & numbers we’ll be working on for the week.  All of your extra work at home is really paying off!  A special thanks to all of you that take the time to work with your child and complete the homework each week!

*Please make sure you are sending your child to school with hats, mittens and warm coats.  Remember that we play outside three times a day.

 

Hibernation, Migration & Scarecrows, Thanksgiving

This week our theme was “Hibernation & Migration”.  The children made raccoons, turtles and Canadian geese.  We talked about many different animals and learned what hibernation & migration meant.  The children began to learn about numbers starting with 1 & 2 and our letter for the week was Mm. 

Next week our theme will be “Thanksgiving & Scarecrows”.  The children will be making turkeys, Thanksgiving placemats & scarecrows.  We will talk about what we are thankful for and also work on same vs. different, name printing, number identification, counting, colors and patterns.  We will learn about the numbers 3 & 4 and our letter for the week will be Hh.

  Reminders & Updates:                                    

 *FBI Bowling slips due Nov. 5^th & 6^th.

*Your family’s turkey feather is due: Wed., Nov. 7^th OR Thurs., Nov. 8^th

*Early Release Day: Tues, Nov. 6^th

*Send a cute 4x6 picture of your child any time before Nov. 19^tt or 20^th.

*Thanksgiving Vacation: No School Nov. 21^st-23^rd.

*Please make sure you are sending your child to school with hats, mittens and warm coats.  Remember that we play outside three times a day.

Halloween & Hibernation

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 A special thank you to the families that attended our 'Families Being Involved' pumpkin carving event at MAES!

This week our theme was “Halloween”.  The children finger-painted jack-o-lanterns, made spider headbands, glitter bats & spider handprints.  We continued learning about the letter Jj and enjoyed a story read by the first grade students.  We ended the week with our ‘Halloween Party’ where we carved a pumpkin, went trick-or-treating in our classroom and played games all while dressed up in our awesome Halloween costumes!

Next week our theme will be “Hibernation & Migration”.  The children will be making raccoons, Canadian geese, turtles and a bear book.  We will learn what hibernation & migration means and talk about what animals do in the winter.  The children will make a classroom book about what they like to do during the fall and we will begin learning the numbers 1 & 2.  We will also continue to work on name printing and our letter for the week will be Mm.

 Reminders & Updates:                                    

*Remember to have your child practice getting their jackets and mittens on by themselves so they are able to get dressed for recess at school.

*No School: Friday, Oct. 26^th

*Early Release Day: Tuesday, Nov. 6^th.

*Thanksgiving Vacation: No School Nov. 21^st–23^rd.

*Pre-K Christmas Programs will be on Wednesday, Dec. 19^th or Thursday, Dec. 20^th.  Both programs will be held in the library at 9:30 with cookies and punch to follow in our classroom.  You are welcome to take your child home at any time after the program.  This is a very special day for your child so please make plans to attend.

Halloween

For the next two weeks our theme will be “Halloween”.  During this time we will make jack-o-lantern windsocks, ghost feet, pumpkins, glitter bats, a painting with cookie cutters, & spider hands.  We will continue to work on name printing, matching, cutting and counting. Our letter for these two weeks will be Jj!

On Wed. & Thurs. of next week we will have our Halloween Party!  The children will help me scoop out and carve a pumpkin, play games and trick-or-treat in the classroom!  Remember that your child should bring their costume to school that day.  It would be a good idea to have them practice getting their costume on at home so they are able to get dressed easily at school.  Be sure to write your child’s name on his/her bag of treats to be handed out during the party to avoid confusion.

 Reminders & Updates:                                    

*Halloween party: Oct. 45^th or 25^th.  Please remember that all treats must be wrapped (we will not have time to eat everything), you child should be able to put their costume on over their clothes (by themselves) and no weapons or face paint are allowed.

*No School: Friday, Oct. 26^th.

*Early Release: Tuesday, Nov. 6^th.  Please be sure to send a note if your child needs to go somewhere other then their normal drop off point.

Fall Leaves & Halloween

This week our theme was “Fall & Leaves”.  We learned about the letter Ll, made a leaf book, used watercolor paints to make a leaf and painted an acorn.  The children also made fall trees, a pumpkin booklet and created a page for our first classroom book about Having Fun In Fall.  Your child has brought a fall memory game home, which they can cut out and play with you over the weekend!

Next week our theme will be “Halloween”.  There is no school on Monday due to parent teacher conferences.  (On Wednesday I will send home some of the things the children will have missed).  This week we will be making a jack-o-lantern windsock, ghost feet, glitter bats, a cookie cutter painting and spider hands!  We will continue to work on name printing, matching, shapes, following directions, cutting and counting.  Our letter for the week will be Jj.

 Reminders & Updates:                     

*P/T Conferences Oct 15^th: Each conference is only 10 minutes long; please do your best to be on time and remember you do not need to bring your child.  Feel free to choose an apple from our Giving Tree as a way to help provide some of the necessary materials to complete our craft projects at school.

The PTO will also have the Book Fair set up in the library so be sure to check it out!

*Book Orders: Due Oct. 16^th or 17^th (You can also place your order online).

*If you have a pumpkin you would like to donate to our classroom please bring it in any time before our party.  

*Halloween Party: Oct. 24^th OR 25^th Your child should bring a costume to be put on over their clothing.  You can also send wrapped treats to be handed out when we go ‘trick-or-treating’ in our classroom!

*No School: Oct. 26^th

Fire Safety & Fall Leaves

This week our theme was “Fire Safety”.  We made a fire safety book, painted a Dalmatian, made a fire scene and talked about what to do incase of a fire.  The Stetsonville Fire Chief also came to visit us and talked to the children about the tools firemen use and what to do in an emergency.  We got to see the fire engine and learned how to STOP, DROP & ROLL!  Our letter for the week was Ff.  

Next week our theme will be “Fall & Leaves’.  The children will be making a watercolor leaf, acorn, leaf booklet, fall trees and a pumpkin book.  The children will also bring home a fall memory game, which they can make & play with you!  We will even make a page for our first classroom book called Having Fun In Fall.  We will continue to work on shapes, colors, matching and counting.  Our letter for the week will be Ll.

 Reminders & Updates:                                    

*P/T Conferences: Oct 15^th -please return your confirmation slip!  Each conference is only 10 minutes long as I have a lot of families to meet with; please remember to be on time.  You child need not attend. 

*There will be a ‘Giving Tree’ set up at conferences, please choose an apple from the tree and send the item to school with your child when you can.  This is a way to help provide the children with materials needed for projects.

*Family Ghost Projects: Due Oct. 10^th or 11^th.

*If you have a pumpkin you would like to donate to our classroom please bring it in any time before our party.  (More information will be sent home regarding the party next week).

*Pumpkin Carving FBI Event: permission slips due Oct. 8^th or 9^th

*Child Development Day: There is no class for Pre-K on Thursday, Oct. 18^thas I have to work at CDD.

Five Senses & Fire Safety

This week our theme was the “Five Senses”. The children learned about each of the five senses and our week included a ‘Five Senses Nature Hike’ through the woods behind SES!  We also continued to review shapes, colors and cutting on a line.  Our letter for the week was Yy. 

Next week our theme will be “Fire Safety”.  During the week we will complete a fire safety book, paint a ‘fire dog’ (Dalmatian), create a fire scene and make firemen hats.  On Wednesday & Thursday the fire chief will visit us from the Stetsonville fire department.  The children will learn about the tools a firemen uses and what an emergency is.  They will learn how to stop, drop & roll and how to stay low in a smoke filled room.  Our letter for the week will be Ff.

Reminders & Updates:                          

*SES Family Fun Night: Friday, Sept. 28^th (5:30-7:00)

*Parent/Teacher Conferences: Mon. Oct. 15^th

*As our days grow colder please remember that we go outside for recess everyday.  Make sure your child has the appropriate clothing to play outside.

*Child Development Days: Thursday, Oct. 18^th (no class for pre-k)

*SES Pre-K Christmas Programs: Wed, Dec. 19^th OR Thurs. Dec. 20^th.  Programs are held in the library and will begin at 9:30.  We will enjoy cookies & punch in our classroom and then you are welcome to take your child home after the program.   This is a very important day for your child so please be sure that someone is able to attend.

*Remember to was and return your child’s pillow and blanket for naptime.

Mrs. Amanda Will Be Out This Week

I had to have my appendix removed last Thursday night.  I will be recovering from home during the week of Sept. 17th.  I hope to be cleared to return for the week of Sept. 24th.  Please be understanding that things may be done differently with the substitute teacher being there this week.  Tell the children I miss then and I will be back soon!
Mrs. Amanda :)

Shapes & Apples

This week our theme was “Shapes”.  We work on shapes throughout the school year and this week helped to kick things off!  The children matched shapes, sorted shapes, built a shape house, created a noodle shape and sang/danced to the shape hokey-pokey! 

Next week our theme will be “Apples”.  The children will be creating mosaic apples out of paper squares & painting an apple core. We will also work on matching, colors, shapes & journaling.  Wow, we are going to be busy!  Our letter for the week will be Aa.  Please take time each week to review our letter and discuss items that begin with that letters sound.

 Reminders & Updates:                                    

*Homework: Anything that you find in your child’s backpack, which is incomplete, can be considered “homework”.  Your child is not graded on this work however taking time to complete it with them does help to reinforce the skills we are learning at school.  You can send completed homework back for a sticker!

*Picture Day: Sept 17^th OR Sept. 18^th 

        *Early Release Day: Thursday, Sept. 27^th.  Please send a note if

your child needs to go somewhere other than their normal destination.

*SES Fun Night: starts at 6:00 on Friday, Sept. 28^th.  Your entire family is welcome to attend!

*Clothing: When dressing your child for school please be sure they

 are able to run and play in their clothing and footwear.  We

want the children to be able to have fun rather than worry about

getting their clothes dirty! J

*Parent Teacher Conferences: Monday, Oct. 15^th (no school)

*Child Development Days: Thursday, Oct. 18^th (no school for pre-k)

Welcome & Shapes

This week you found your first ‘family project’ in your child’s backpack.  Please have your entire family work to complete this Family Tree project and return it to school! 

Our theme this week was “Welcome & Bus Safety”.  Both groups learned about the rules in school and on the bus.  We all took a school tour and worked to learn the daily routines of school.  We read the book The Kissing Hand and created a special project just for you.  We also began working on our cutting skills, painted a picture and played hot potato!

Next week our theme will be “Shapes”.  We will work on shapes throughout the school year and this week will help us kick things off.  The children will be matching shapes, sorting colors and shapes, building a shape house, creating a noodle shape and singing/dancing to the shape hokey-pokey! 

 Reminders & Updates:                                    

       *Remember to place some money in your child’s lunch account if you

have not done so yet.

*Classroom Books:  From time to time I will send a classroom book home with your child.  Please take time to read it with your child and then send it back to school the following day.

*Pre-K students may attend our after school CLC program.

*When dropping your child off or picking them up please use the entrances on the east side of the building and not the bus driveway.

*Family Tree Project due Sept. 12^th or 13^th

*When your child has a birthday or we celebrate a holiday it is fine to send wrapped treats to school.

*Your child should be dressed to play outside each day.  Please have them wear shoes and clothing that are easy to run and play in.

Welcome To Pre-Kindergarten

I would like to welcome everyone to an exciting new year!  I will do my best to update this site weekly to include classroom news, photos from field trips and information on upcoming events.  You should have received a welcome letter from me in the mail.  If you have questions at any point in the school year please don't hesitate to give me a call.
Remember that your child's grades can be found online at any time by clicking on the 'Family Access' link located on any of the Medford School Districts websites.  If you do not remember your login information contact the district office.
Take some time to explore this page and let me know if there is anything else you would like me to include.  I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and I will see you soon! :)

Mrs. Amanda Langdon

Stetsonville Elementary School

Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Summer Vaction

It has been a joy having your children in class this year.  I hope you have a fun and safe summer together and I look forward to seeing the kids again as they enter kindergarten next year!
Mrs. Amanda

Frogs & Bugs

Well this is it, our last classroom newsletter for the school year!  It has really gone by fast but I’ve truly enjoyed everyday I got to spend with your child.  I want to thank everyone for all the extra work they did at home.  I know we couldn’t have the consistence that we used to have with the half-day model but you certainly helped make the full day model work!  You should be very proud of your child and all that they have accomplished this year!

We had another short week with no school on Monday.  On Tuesday we learned about Bugs & Frogs to go along with our theme for this week.  On Wednesday & Thursday we took a field trip to the school forest where we went on a bug hunt and nature hike.  The children all got to help look for and capture bugs, which we then took time to examine up close.  Be sure to ask your child all about our trip!

During our final week of school we will work to get our room cleaned up and be sure that everything is sent home.  We will celebrate our year together by joining the MAES pre-k classes for an ‘End of the Year Picnic’ in the Medford City Park.  All of the children will join together for a walk to the park where we will enjoy a picnic lunch and time to play and say goodbye to each other!  Please remember that on Wednesday, June 6^th the children are released 2 hours early (12:45) so please make the proper arrangements.

 Reminders & Updates:                                    

*Field Trip: I will be taking the children to the Medford City Park

on June 5^th & 6^th for a picnic lunch provided by our cooks.  (Peanut

butter & jelly including fruits, vegetables & milk). 

*Last Day of Class: June 5^th OR 6^th.  School will be dismissed 2

hours early on the 6^th so please plan accordingly.

Caterpillars & Butterflies

This week our theme was ‘Butterflies & Caterpillars’.  The children made a patterned caterpillar, created a butterfly book, completed a butterfly’s life cycle and painted a caterpillar and butterfly.  We also went to visit the Kindergarten classrooms in preparation for next year.

Next week our theme will be ‘Bugs & Frogs’.  (Remember there is no school on Monday due to Memorial Day).  On Wednesday & Thursday we will take a hike in the school forest and go on a bug hunt (weather permitting) so please dress your child for a hike in the woods.  The children will be making a frog, a paint blot bug and playing a bug # matching game. 

 Reminders & Updates:                                    

       *No School: Monday, May 30^th- Memorial Day

*Library: We have had our last library class so be sure all books

are returned by the end of the year.

*School Forest:  We will take a trip to the School Forest on May

30^th & 31^st.  Please dress your child for the woods that day

including socks, tennis shoes, long pants, baseball caps, etc…  It

would also be a good idea to spray your child with bug spray

before school that day.

*End of the Year Celebration: Please dress your child in tennis

shoes for our walk to the Medford City Park on June 5^th & 6^th. 

The kitchen will be providing peanut butter & jelly sandwiches

along with fruits & veggies for lunch that day.

*Last Day of Class: June 5^th OR 6^th.  School will be dismissed 2

hours early on the 6^th so please plan accordingly.